“The players hold the power, if their clubs are preventing them from doing more or from going to events, they need to be saying 'this is something I believe in and want to do'.”

Leroy Rosenior, former-professional and SRtRC Patron

Show Racism the Red Card patron Leroy Rosenior today urged players not to abandon anti-racism campaign work after one national group came in for criticism.

This morning Reading forward Jason Roberts was critical of the Kick It Out campaign, and told BBC Sport he would not be wearing the organisation's T-Shirt before Reading's match with Liverpool.

Roberts told BBC Sport: “I think people feel let down by what used to be called 'Let's Kick Racism Out of Football'. People don't feel like they have been strong enough."

However, SRTRC patron and Hall of Fame member Leroy Rosenior said Roberts's comments were counter-productive and that professional players “should not withdraw” from the process of anti-racism campaigning.

Leroy told Talksport today: “I have a lot of respect for Jason. He's been terrific for us – he's been a great role model at events, I would say he shouldn't withdraw from the process.

“I would say to get speaking to people more often rather than channelling that into a protest.”

Speaking on Talksport's flagship daily programme, Leroy said the work of SRtRC had resulted in definitive improvements – particularly amongst young people.

“We're definitely making a difference,” he said. “Working in schools, teacher training, making it easier for them to bring the issue into their lessons.”

Leroy expressed concern that not enough professional players, of all colours, were getting involved in anti-racism campaigns.

He told Talksport: “Nobody remembers us ex-professionals. The young kids want the role models playing now.

“Players like Rio Ferdinand have been to events and the impact they have on the kids and parents is unbelievable.

“The players hold the power, if their clubs are preventing them from doing more or from going to events, they need to be saying 'this is something I believe in and want to do'.”

Leroy said he was “disgusted” by the racist abuse direct towards Danny Rose during England's Under-21 international in against Serbia, and said Rose should now champion the anti-racist message.

“I was absolutely disgusted,” Leroy said. “I felt for him. Now I think he should going out there and talking to people, what it meant to him, to be treated like that."

Deputy Chief Executive of SRtRC Paul Kearns said: "Show Racism the Red Card and Kick It Out have always recognised the importance of players' involvement in anti-racism campaigning.

"Leroy Rosenior, Jason Roberts and many others have worked tirelessly to tackle racism.

"Now in the face of these setbacks our organisation, players, the footballing authorities and anti-racism campaigners must re-double our efforts."